Do you love tea? It’s a flavorful beverage made with various spices. In some countries, people prefer tea over coffee because it is smoother and more delicious. It is also called a chai latte. In India, it is the most popular and widely consumed drink. However, a dirty chai latte differs from a regular chai latte because it includes espresso. Therefore, a dirty chai latte vs chai latte reveals differences in flavor and preparation.
If you love a flavorful drink with many spices, the chai latte has no competition. On the other hand, if you love espresso to add to your chai latte, the dirty chai latte is the best option. So here I will explain all the differences.
A chai latte is a highly concentrated drink that includes spices like ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and it is simmered with milk. And when we add one or two espresso shots, it becomes a dirty chai latte.
So a chai latte is a blend of spices (masala). It doesn’t have bitterness like coffee. A dirty chai latte is the best option if you want a bitter coffee with high caffeine.
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What is a chai latte?
A chai latte is a creamy tea-based drink made with:
- Black tea infused with spices (chai)
- Steamed milk
- Sweetener (optional)
Chai latte is a milder, more flavorful drink, similar to masala tea (masala chai). It originates from India. Still, many countries prefer chai latte over coffee flavors.
What makes it more exciting is that it is a highly customizable drink. It can be made with different variations. It is prepared by adding steamed milk to spiced tea.
So, Key Characteristics of a Chai Latte
- Tea-based (no coffee)
- Mild caffeine
- Sweet, spicy, and creamy
- Comforting and smooth
The chai latte follows a different ingredient and brewing method. Even in the same city, every coffee shop will make it differently.
It is important to ask the barista about your favorite ingredients and brewing process.
Traditionally, the Chai latte was made with tea and milk. With time, spices are added to make it flavorful. You still can make it with tea and milk; it tastes better and is delicious.
But with time, it adds many spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. There is no restriction on how many flavors you add.
What is a dirty chai latte?
A dirty chai latte is simply a chai latte with espresso added.
The word “dirty” refers to the addition of coffee, which darkens the drink and intensifies its flavor.
The dirty chai latte has an espresso shot, making it more robust than the chai latte. It adds single or double-shot espresso.
Also, it consists of spiced black tea. This latte also adds spices like black pepper, cardamom, cloves, ginger, and cinnamon.
Again, like the chai latte, the Dirty chai latte is a flavorful coffee with a delicious taste, adding many flavors and spices. But adding an espresso shot gives it an intense flavor with spices.
Key Characteristics of a Dirty Chai
- Chai tea + espresso shot(s)
- Stronger caffeine kick
- Bolder, slightly bitter taste
- Ideal as a morning drink
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What is the difference between a dirty chai latte vs a chai latte?
The difference between the two drinks is pretty obvious; let’s check it in more detail. One adds tea and spices, and the other adds tea, spices, and espresso.
Detailed Table Comparing features
| Feature | Chai Latte | Dirty Chai |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Spiced tea (chai) with steamed milk | Chai latte with 1 or more espresso shots |
| Base Ingredients | Black tea, chai spices (cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, etc.), steamed milk | Same as chai latte plus espresso |
| Espresso? | No espresso | Yes, typically 1 shot |
| Flavor Profile | Sweet, spicy, creamy | Spicy + sweet with bold coffee bitterness |
| Caffeine Content | 40–70 mg (from tea) | 120–180+ mg (tea + espresso shot) |
| Sweetness | Naturally sweet | Balanced, sweet with bold coffee flavor |
| Color | Light brown / tan | Darker brown due to espresso |
| Common Milk Options | Whole, oat, almond, soy | Same |
| Served | Hot or iced | Hot or iced |
| Texture | Creamy, smooth | Creamy with stronger body from espresso |
| Common Sizes | 12–16 oz | 12–20 oz |
| Popularity | Very popular in tea-based drinks | Gaining popularity among coffee lovers who like spice |
| Best For | Tea lovers, those avoiding high caffeine | Coffee lovers who enjoy spice and more caffeine |
| Cultural Roots | Inspired by Indian masala chai | Western coffee-shop twist on traditional chai |
| Typical Café Labeling | “Chai Latte” | “Dirty Chai Latte” or “Espresso Chai Latte” |
Do chai latte and dirty have differences in ingredients?
Well, ingredients make all the difference between a chai latte and a dry chai latte. Whereas both add many spices and flavors.
But the real difference comes when chai latte adds tea bags and dirty chai latte adds espresso.
- Chai latte ingredients
A chai latte typically has tea or tea bags as its base. It also includes steamed milk. This tea is a spiced tea. It has the flavors of cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom.
However, you can also add any other spices as desired. The steamed milk pours at the top of the tea, making it creamy.
Also, the chai latte usually has sugar or other sweeteners added to make it sweet. In fact, people even add honey to it. You can add sugar or honey based on your preference.
Tea and milk have an equal volume in a chai latte.
- Dirty chai latte ingredients
Like the chai latte, the dirty chai latte also uses tea as the base drink. But the real difference comes when it adds espresso to the tea. The combination of tea and espresso gives a unique, pungent taste.
Also, steamed milk adds creaminess and smoothness to the flavor. However, if you find the drink bitter and intense, you can add sugar or honey.
Dirty chai vs chai latte: Which flavor tastes better?
These drinks have a dominant spice flavor, providing a rich taste. The flavor actually depends on the types and amounts of spices added. In fact, spices dominate the taste.
A chai latte is a smoother coffee with a sweet and spicy flavor.
On the other hand, a dirty chai latte adds one espresso shot, giving it a strong and slightly bitter taste.
In dirty chai, the espresso enhances the sweet and spicy flavors, creating a well-balanced latte.
Dirty chai vs chai latte: Difference in caffeine?
A dirty chai latte contains more caffeine.
If you avoid high caffeine, the dirty chai latte is not for you because it contains high caffeine. Because tea already contains caffeine, and when espresso is added, it doubles the caffeine content.
In contrast, chai latte has less caffeine since it doesn’t add espresso. The only caffeine source is tea.
A dirty chai latte contains around 150 to 160 mg of caffeine. And a chai latte only has about 60 to 70 mg of caffeine.
| Drink | Approximate Caffeine |
|---|---|
| Chai Latte | 40–70 mg |
| Dirty Chai (1 espresso shot) | 100–150 mg |
| Dirty Chai (2 espresso shots) | 160–220 mg |
Calorie difference?
No significant difference in calories between the chai latte and dirty chai latte.
There is not much difference in the calorie count of both coffees. Since both have almost similar ingredients, except for the espresso shot. And espresso almost has no calories.
Chai latte has around 190 calories per serving. While a dirty chai latte with an extra espresso shot has 200 calories.
Both coffees use milk and sugar, which increase the calorie content. The ten more calories in a dirty chai latte come from espresso.
| Drink Type | Calories Range | Main Calorie Sources | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chai Latte | 180–240 kcal | Milk, chai concentrate (sugar) | Lower caffeine, naturally sweeter |
| Dirty Chai Latte | 200–300 kcal | Milk, chai concentrate, espresso | Slightly higher calories due to added espresso |
Dirty chai vs chai latte: Which drink is better and healthier
There is little here to choose between the two flavors. Each drink has certain features that you may look into.
Chai Latte:
- Lower caffeine
- Better for sensitive stomachs
- More relaxing
Dirty Chai latte:
- More energy and focus
- Better as a coffee alternative
- Higher caffeine intake
A chai latte is a smoother drink with added spices. It has fewer calories and caffeine than a dirty chai latte. Though it contains only tea without espresso.
And dirty chai latte is a comparatively potent drink combining tea and espresso. It comes with high caffeine, which may cause health issues if you consistently use many cups.
It is best not to drink dirty chai latte frequently due to the high caffeine and calories. A Chai latte is a better option for drinking many cups daily.
Also, let’s check the recipes for a dirty chai latte and chai latte.
How to make a dirty chai latte at home?
A dirty chai latte takes a little more time to brew than a regular one.
Ingredients
- One shot espresso
- 1 tsp of chai tea powder
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- Ground cinnamon or nutmeg for garnish (optional)
- Sweetener (optional)
Instructions
- If you are using a chai tea bag, heat a cup of water to near boiling and steep the tea bag for about 5 minutes, or follow the instructions on the tea packaging.
- If you are using tea leaves, add one or two tablespoon of leaves to hot water.
- Here, strain out the leaves, and the tea is ready.
- Meanwhile, make one or two shots of espresso.
- Now, pour espresso shots into the cup of tea.
- Optionally, you can sugar at this point.
- Also, add two tablespoons of chai tea mix. This tea mix includes spices like cardamom and ginger.
- In the last step, heat the milk. Add steamed milk to the cup of coffee and espresso when it is hot. You can sprinkle cinnamon or cardamom powder on top.
A dirty chai latte is ready to enjoy.
How to make a chai latte?
It is an easy drink to make at home. It is made with milk, tea, and different spices.
Spices can make deliciously tasty chai. However, if you don’t have all the spices, you don’t need to worry; all the available spices can still make a perfect drink.
Ingredients
- 2 cup water
- ¼ tsp powdered sugar
- 4 grams of tea leaves
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp pure maple syrup
Instructions
- First, mix all spices. And add sugar and stir them well. It is better to use a blender or processor.
- Add powdered milk to the mixture. And put the mixture into the cup. A mix is ready to add to
- Now brew black coffee by pouring tea leaves into hot water.
- When black coffee is ready, add the mixture of all spices to it.
A chai latte is ready to enjoy.
How to Order at Starbucks chai latte and dirty chai latte (or Any Café)
Yes, you can get delightful, delicious lattes available at Starbucks. Chai tea latte at Starbucks comes with black coffee, steamed milk, cinnamon clove, and other spices—a Grande 16 oz. The cup size has 240 calories.
Ordering a Chai Latte at Starbucks
“I’d like a chai tea latte with [milk choice], please.”
Ordering a Dirty Chai Latte at Starbucks
“I’d like a chai tea latte with one shot of espresso.”
Also, a dirty chai latte can be customized at Starbucks. You can order black coffee with one espresso shot sprinkled with spices. It is available in all four sizes.
Popular customizations:
- Oat milk for creaminess
- Extra cinnamon or nutmeg
- Half-sweet to reduce sugar
- Two shots for extra strength
Frequently Asked Questions
Because espresso is mixed with black coffee. Combining espresso and coffee makes a strong caffeinated coffee, so it is called dirty.
While combining espresso with coffee enhances the caffeine content and gives a strong, bitter taste, adding spices and milk somewhat smooths the taste.
Generally, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, ginger, and many other spices can be added to a chai latte and a dirty chai latte.
Yes, it tastes like chai with noticeable coffee notes; It is not pure coffee; rather, it has a bolder flavor than tea.
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Final thoughts: what should you choose?
Choose chai latte if:
- You prefer tea over coffee
- You want less caffeine
- You enjoy sweet, creamy drinks
Pick dirty chai if:
- You love coffee
- You need an energy boost
- You want a bold flavor
If you like tea, you will love these flavors. The addition of spices makes them unique and delicious. If you visit India, you will find tea shops on the corner. Tea enthusiasts always prefer it over any other drink.
Tea can brew with or without spices. However, a chai latte usually adds one or more spices.
However, the dirty chai latte has espresso, which gives a unique combination of tea and coffee. And spices add extra attraction.